Hay Happenings
Heading off to Hay from Hillston, we stared over the flat landscape and didn't enjoy the scenery overly! We were going to stay at the Hay Showground. It was an interesting start to our stay in Hay. The two caretakers had a rather loud argument over where we could turn around without ruining the grass. We stayed there nonetheless. We went out for dinner and had some pretty nice pizza! The next day before heading off from Hay, we went to the Hay Prisoner of War and Internment Camp Interpretive Centre. People of different nationalities were interned here when World War 2 broke out. POW's were also held here. Some of the first internees were a group of Jews who had escaped from Germany.
The Shear Outback, as suggested by it's name, is about the history and hardships of the sheep industry. Agriculture used to be, and still is, a big industry for the Hay area. The exhibitions were informative and you learnt about the hard yards that shearers had to go through to shear and earn a living. Most shearers developed problems with their knees and back. We also watched a sheep actually being shorn. The shearer explained a lot about the process and it was quite interesting. The girls were fascinated as there were some little lambs among the group kept there. We also had a go at the maze, but a bit of cheating was happening!
Our favourite camp spot:
Hay Showground: Showground Road Ph: 02 6993 1087 ($17pn family, April 2013).
The amenities were very basic. The kids enjoyed watching some horses exercise in the morning on the race track. Don't drive on the grass when turning around.
Places to visit:
Hay Visitor Information Centre: 407 Moppett St, Hay. Phone: 02 6993 4045.
Shear Outback: The Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame. Corner of Sturt and Cobb Highways, Hay
Open 9am to 5pm daily. Shearing demonstrations are at 10:30am, 1pm and 3.30pm
Entry is $15 adult, $11 concession, $8 children, $35 family. Phone (02) 6993 4000
Heritage Rose Garden: Cnr Roset St and Sturt Hwy, Hay. Phone: 02 6993 1727. Amazing collection of Heritage roses. Best time to visit is from October to May. Entry to garden and house is $5. Open 2pm to 4:30pm from Monday to Saturday. Phone to check up to date times.
Hay Railway Station: Historically restored building. Also home to the POW & Internment Camp Interpretive Centre. Visitors are welcome to visit the Hay Railway Station. You may need to be prepared to explain and answer questions to your children about the POW displays.
Activities:
Heritage Walk (free): Contact the Visitors Information Centre for details of the walk.
Sandy Point Beach: (Town's swimming beach). There is a safe family swimming area. Majestic old River Red Gums provide shade so that you can enjoy a relaxing swim or a picnic break.
Hay's Swimming Pool (free): Surrounded by a large area which is beautifully grassed. The swimming pool has a BBQ and served by a kiosk. Entry to the pool is FREE.
Family Eating Out:
Hay Bowling Club: Murray Street Ph: 02 6993 2211
Hay Fish Shop: 171 Lachlan St Ph: 02 6993 1741
Hay Services Club: 371 Murray Street Ph: 02 6993 4823
Hay Showground: Showground Road Ph: 02 6993 1087 ($17pn family, April 2013).
The amenities were very basic. The kids enjoyed watching some horses exercise in the morning on the race track. Don't drive on the grass when turning around.
Places to visit:
Hay Visitor Information Centre: 407 Moppett St, Hay. Phone: 02 6993 4045.
Shear Outback: The Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame. Corner of Sturt and Cobb Highways, Hay
Open 9am to 5pm daily. Shearing demonstrations are at 10:30am, 1pm and 3.30pm
Entry is $15 adult, $11 concession, $8 children, $35 family. Phone (02) 6993 4000
Heritage Rose Garden: Cnr Roset St and Sturt Hwy, Hay. Phone: 02 6993 1727. Amazing collection of Heritage roses. Best time to visit is from October to May. Entry to garden and house is $5. Open 2pm to 4:30pm from Monday to Saturday. Phone to check up to date times.
Hay Railway Station: Historically restored building. Also home to the POW & Internment Camp Interpretive Centre. Visitors are welcome to visit the Hay Railway Station. You may need to be prepared to explain and answer questions to your children about the POW displays.
Activities:
Heritage Walk (free): Contact the Visitors Information Centre for details of the walk.
Sandy Point Beach: (Town's swimming beach). There is a safe family swimming area. Majestic old River Red Gums provide shade so that you can enjoy a relaxing swim or a picnic break.
Hay's Swimming Pool (free): Surrounded by a large area which is beautifully grassed. The swimming pool has a BBQ and served by a kiosk. Entry to the pool is FREE.
Family Eating Out:
Hay Bowling Club: Murray Street Ph: 02 6993 2211
Hay Fish Shop: 171 Lachlan St Ph: 02 6993 1741
Hay Services Club: 371 Murray Street Ph: 02 6993 4823